The Rise and Fall of Canadian Cigarette Brands: Du Maurier, Export A, Player’s
There was a time when the name “Du Maurier” meant elegance. When “Export A” was the choice of fishermen and loggers. When “Player’s” — with its iconic sailor logo — was as Canadian as the maple leaf. These brands weren’t just cigarettes; they were woven into the fabric of Canadian life. Today, they’re sold in identical drab brown boxes, stripped of all personality. How did we get here? This is the story of the rise, the golden age, and the quiet fall of Canada’s most beloved cigarette brands — and where native cigarettes fit into the picture today.
📜 The Early Days: 1880s–1920s
Player’s is founded in Nottingham, England. The brand arrives in Canada soon after, becoming a staple. Its “John Player & Sons” navy blue packaging and sailor logo become iconic.
The Canadian tobacco industry booms. Imperial Tobacco Canada (founded 1908) and MacDonald Tobacco (founded 1858) dominate. Export ‘A’ launches — named for its “export quality” and aimed at workers, sailors, and outdoorsmen.
✨ The Golden Age: 1930s–1960s
Du Maurier is introduced by MacDonald Tobacco — named after the English actor and author Gerald du Maurier. It’s positioned as a “premium” cigarette for the sophisticated smoker. The packaging is elegant, the ads are glamorous.
PEAK OF GLAMOUR. Smoking is allowed in hospitals, schools, airplanes, and movie theatres. A pack costs about $0.30. Beloved brands: Export ‘A’ (“Export A — for the man who does things”), Player’s (“Player’s Please”), Du Maurier, Craven ‘A’, Sweet Caporal, Rothmans.
TV and radio ads are still legal. Brands sponsor hockey games, fishing shows, and variety hours. Du Maurier becomes associated with jazz and the arts. Player’s sailor logo is everywhere — on billboards, in magazines, on matchbooks.
Export ‘A’ (MacDonald Tobacco)
The working man’s cigarette. Launched in the early 1900s, Export ‘A’ was a medium-strength Virginia blend. Its iconic blue packaging and “Export” name suggested quality and adventure. For decades, it was the #1 choice of Canadian blue-collar workers — fishermen, loggers, miners, and truckers. The brand’s simple slogan: “Export ‘A’ — the cigarette that smokes mild.” By the 1990s, it had lost ground to Du Maurier but remained a cultural icon.
Du Maurier (MacDonald Tobacco)
The sophisticated choice. Named after the English actor Gerald du Maurier (and grandfather of author Daphne du Maurier), this brand was the first “premium” cigarette in Canada. Its elegant black-and-gold packaging, smooth flavour, and arts-focused marketing made it the cigarette of professionals, artists, and executives. Du Maurier sponsored jazz festivals, art exhibits, and fashion shows. At its peak in the 1980s, it was Canada’s best-selling premium brand.
Player’s (Imperial Tobacco Canada)
The sailor cigarette. John Player & Sons started in England, but Player’s became a Canadian institution. The navy blue pack with its distinctive sailor logo was instantly recognizable. Player’s was known for its “Filter King” and “Light” variants. The brand’s longevity — over a century — made it one of Canada’s most trusted names. The sailor logo was retired in the 1970s as health warnings grew, but older smokers still remember it fondly.
📉 The Decline: 1970s–1990s
US Surgeon General’s report links smoking to lung cancer. Canada follows with its own warnings. But the industry fights back with “filter” and “light” cigarettes. Du Maurier “Extra Light” and Player’s “Filter King” are born.
Canada becomes one of the first countries to ban TV and radio cigarette advertising. The golden age of mass marketing ends. Billboard ads continue, but the magic fades.
The Non-Smokers’ Health Act bans smoking on all domestic flights and federal workplaces. Smokers are pushed outside — a psychological turning point.
Federal excise tax cut reduces smuggling, but retail prices remain high. The gap between commercial and native cigarettes widens dramatically.
⚰️ The Fall: 2000s–2019
Mitchell v. MNR — Supreme Court affirms Indigenous trading rights. Native cigarettes become a legal, tax‑exempt alternative. Smokers begin switching in droves.
Provincial smoking bans sweep Canada. No smoking in bars, restaurants, patios, or within 9m of doorways. The social ritual of smoking is destroyed. Iconic brands lose relevance.
Menthol and flavour ban for commercial cigarettes. Du Maurier Smooth, Belmont menthol, and other flavoured variants are discontinued.
Plain packaging arrives. Canada becomes the first country in the world to mandate plain packaging for all commercial cigarettes. No logos, no colours, no branding — just drab brown boxes with graphic health warnings covering 75% of the pack. Du Maurier, Export A, and Player’s become indistinguishable from each other — just another brown box.
🪶 Where Do Native Cigarettes Fit In?
While commercial brands were stripped of their identity, native cigarettes like Canadian Light, BB, Nexus, duMont, Playfare, Rolled Gold, and Canadian Crush never lost their packaging. Because they’re produced on Indigenous territory under constitutional protection, plain packaging laws do not apply to them. They still have:
- ✅ Full‑colour packaging with brand identity
- ✅ Brand names you can actually see
- ✅ Natural tobacco with fewer additives
- ✅ Prices 80-85% lower than commercial brands
For many Canadian smokers, switching to native cigarettes isn’t just about saving money — it’s about preserving a sense of identity that commercial cigarettes lost forever.
💰 Commercial vs. Native: Today’s Prices
| Brand Type | Example Brand | Price per Pack | Price per Carton (10 packs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial (Plain Packaging) | Du Maurier / Export A / Player’s | $20–25 | $200–250 |
| Native (Cigstore.ca) | Canadian Light | $2.90 | $29 |
| Native (Cigstore.ca) | BB / Nexus / duMont / Playfare / Rolled Gold | $3.50 | $35 |
| Native (Cigstore.ca) | Canadian Crush | $5.00 | $50 |
Annual savings for a pack-a-day smoker: Switching from commercial to Canadian Light saves over $6,500 per year.
Popular Native Cigarette Brands on Cigstore.ca
While the old icons fade into plain brown boxes, these native brands carry the torch with real packaging, natural tobacco, and fair prices.
$29 flat shipping on orders under $290. Free shipping on orders $290+. Adult signature required.
🤔 Do Any of the Old Brands Still Exist?
Yes — but not as you remember them. Du Maurier, Export A, and Player’s are still manufactured by Imperial Tobacco Canada (which also owns the rights to many historic brands). They’re sold in plain packaging, in smaller sizes, and at much higher prices. The same company also produces “next generation” products (vapes, heated tobacco) to stay relevant. But for many older smokers, the brand loyalty died when the packaging died.
Final thought: The rise of Du Maurier, Export A, and Player’s was a story of marketing, culture, and national identity. Their fall was a story of health awareness, regulation, and the erosion of brand identity. Today, if you want a cigarette with real packaging, natural tobacco, and a fair price, native brands from Cigstore.ca are the only game in town. The old icons are just brown boxes now. But the tradition of enjoying a quality smoke? That continues — just under a new name.